Overview

  • Accepting applications

Duties

Summary

As the Assistant Regional Director for the Wildlife Services (WS) program, you will assist the Regional Director (Senior Executive Service) in coordinating Wildlife Services activities through numerous subordinate supervisors and work force of federal and cooperative scientific, technical and other personnel.

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Responsibilities

  • The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
  • The duties may include, but are not limited to:
  • Assists the Regional Director in establishing Government Performance and Results Act measurements.
  • Ensures that all WS operations within the area of responsibility are in compliance with appropriate objectives, policies, and regulations of USDA, APHIS, and cooperating agencies or States.
  • Assists in identifying needed WS research and development of field projects to support research studies conducted by the WS National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC).
  • Serves on internal and external work groups and committees to plan and develop WS programs.
  • Conducts a continuing review and evaluation of programs to coordinate activities and determine the overall effectiveness of program activities.
  • Acts as a liaison on a Region-wide and Nation-wide basis between State Directors and other agencies, special interest groups, the general public, and Congressional and political representatives.
  • Assures adequate time, resources and support for accomplishment of specific EEO or Civil Rights functions and responsibilities are provided subordinate employees.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
  • Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
  • Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
  • Valid state driver’s license is required at the time of application.
  • In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations concerning conflict of interest, the incumbent will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter.
  • The administrative work environment is mostly in an office setting, however, frequent travel is required by common carrier, motor vehicle, and/or light aircraft.
  • Field trips are frequent and are often in hostile environments with moderate to high risk and discomfort. Position necessitates being away from the duty station overnight on a frequent and recurring basis.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

BASIC REQUIREMENT:

A. Degree:

  • Biological science that included: At least 9 semester hours in such wildlife subjects as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, wildlife management, or research courses in the field of wildlife biology; and
  • At least 12 semester hours in zoology in such subjects as general zoology, invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, cellular biology, parasitology, entomology, or research courses in such subjects (Excess courses in wildlife biology may be used to meet the zoology requirements where appropriate.); and
  • At least 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences.

OR:

B. Combination of education and experience: equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), with at least 9 semester hours in wildlife subjects, 12 semester hours in zoology, and 9 semester hours in botany or related plant science, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement you will also need to meet the following:

FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

  • Experienced in planning, coordinating and implementing activities related to resolving wildlife damage conflicts to protect various resources including agriculture, forestry, property, natural resources, and public health and safety.
  • Experienced in dealing with problems and resolutions that encompass a wide range of environmental, cultural and political influences.
  • Experienced in insuring that wildlife damage management objectives are accomplished in keeping with federal and state laws and regulations, and sound conservation principles.
  • Experienced in overseeing and managing a workforce of federal and cooperatively funded employees, which includes subordinate supervisors, biologists, technicians, and various administrative staff.

Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.

FOR THE GS-15 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-14 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

  • Experienced in planning, coordinating and implementing activities related to resolving wildlife damage conflicts to protect various resources including agriculture, forestry, property, natural resources, and public health and safety.
  • Experienced in dealing with problems and resolutions that encompass a wide range of environmental, cultural and political influences.
  • Experienced in insuring that wildlife damage management objectives are accomplished in keeping with federal and state laws and regulations, and sound conservation principles.
  • Experienced in overseeing and managing a workforce of federal and cooperatively funded employees, which includes subordinate supervisors, biologists, technicians, and various administrative staff.
  • Experienced in leading a team by mentoring and coaching to accomplish complex goals.
  • Experienced in formulating large scale budgets (millions of dollars) and administering expenditures for a complex, multi-faceted program consisting of federal, state, and/or other cooperative funded budgets.

Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.

TRANSCRIPTS are required if:

  • This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified.
  • You are qualifying for the position based on education.
  • This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.